June 23, 2008

Fresno State turns down $1.8 million for shot at $1 million

Fresno State boosters (if there is a thing) should bookmark this page the next time the athletic department tries to pass the collection plate, as the Bulldogs turned down a $1.8 million dollar package to move their game with Wisconsin to Lambeau Field.

How eager are Fresno State officials to host the University of Wisconsin next season in football?

So eager that they turned down an offer from a third party to move the Sept. 13 non-conference game against UW from Fresno to Lambeau Field for a payday in excess of $1 million.

"It was a private promoter several years ago and the money was pretty good," Steve Weakland, director of Fresno State media relations, said Wednesday. "It was seven figures."

"We declined."

But... there are also reports that Fresno State had been promised new turf to be installed at Bulldog Stadium to seal the deal.

Alvarez said he was told the offer included a $1 million payout to Fresno State, as well as a promise to install FieldTurf at 41,031-seat Bulldog Stadium. Alvarez said an official from the Western Athletic Conference told him about the particulars during the NCAA Final Four men's basketball tournament in April. Alvarez said he subsequently verified it during a trip to the West Coast earlier this month. "I know they really want that game," he said of Fresno State officials.

But while Fresno State athletic director Thomas Boeh confirmed the $1 million offer and the promise of a new playing surface for the stadium, he made several points that downplay the apparent significance of the proposal.For one thing, Boeh said this week that his school generates $1 million in revenue from its home football games, so the payout represents a wash. For another, Boeh said the offer to install FieldTurf at Bulldog Stadium amounted to around $800,000. "We just weren't interested," he said.

Lemme get this straight.... Fresno State makes $1 million per home game and they were offered a $1.8 million package to move the game... and they turned it down?!?!?

I understand wanting to have a home game, but this decision just seems terribly short-sighted... which I'm sure isn't going to surprise *any* Bulldog fans, unfortnuately.

Comments:

Fresno State turns down $1.8 million for shot at $1 million
Fresno State boosters (if there is a thing) should bookmark this page the next time the athletic department tries to pass the collection plate, as the Bulldogs turned down a $1.8 million dollar package to move their game with Wisconsin to Lambeau Field.
How eager are Fresno State officials to host the University of Wisconsin next season in football? So eager that they turned down an offer from a third party to move the Sept. 13 non-conference game against UW from Fresno to Lambeau Field for a payday in excess of $1 million. "It was a private promoter several years ago and the money was pretty good," Steve Weakland, director of Fresno State media relations, said Wednesday. "It was seven figures." "We declined."
But... there are also reports that Fresno State had been promised new turf to be installed at Bulldog Stadium to seal the deal.
Alvarez said he was told the offer included a $1 million payout to Fresno State, as well as a promise to install FieldTurf at 41,031-seat Bulldog Stadium. Alvarez said an official from the Western Athletic Conference told him about the particulars during the NCAA Final Four men's basketball tournament in April. Alvarez said he subsequently verified it during a trip to the West Coast earlier this month. "I know they really want that game," he said of Fresno State officials. But while Fresno State athletic director Thomas Boeh confirmed the $1 million offer and the promise of a new playing surface for the stadium, he made several points that downplay the apparent significance of the proposal.For one thing, Boeh said this week that his school generates $1 million in revenue from its home football games, so the payout represents a wash. For another, Boeh said the offer to install FieldTurf at Bulldog Stadium amounted to around $800,000. "We just weren't interested," he said.
Lemme get this straight.... Fresno State makes $1 million per home game and they were offered a $1.8 million package to move the game... and they turned it down?!?!? I understand wanting to have a home game, but this decision just seems terribly short-sighted... which I'm sure isn't going to surprise *any* Bulldog fans, unfortnuately.